Chapter 10: Comforting

"Mac, what did I ever do to deserve going through this twice?" Stella sits curled up on his couch, covered by a blanket.

"Nothing. You didn't deserve this at all."

"I know it's not my fault he beat me, but I can't stop thinking that it is. He always told me everything was my fault."

Mac really has no idea what to tell her; he wasn't good at comforting people. "I… I don't know what to do, how to help you. I can't do this. Let me go call Lindsay; she's better at this than I am."

She reaches out to place a hand on his shoulder. "You're just not used to comforting anyone. Don't call Lindsay; you'll know what to do."

"See, you're good at it; I'm not."

"By being here for me, you're doing more than you know." She scoots closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I just don't understand how I could end up in another situation like that. After Frankie, I should have trusted my instincts and given up on finding someone."

"I'm happy to tell you that your wait is over; we've got each other now." He puts an arm around her, pulling her close.

"Thanks, Mac. For the past ten years."

"I've done less for you than you've done for me. If anything, I owe you."

"You owe me nothing," Stella yawns sleepily.

Mac gently moves her so she is lying down across the couch, back on his lap. He adjusts the blanket so it covers her. "Get some rest."

"I can't let you sleep in that position. You know how sore you're going to be tomorrow?"

"Stel, don't worry about me. If you're that concerned about me, I'll take you to the bedroom and sleep on the couch."

"No, I can't be left alone again. Who knows what I'll do this time?"

"Hopefully you'll be okay by yourself tomorrow," he watches her fall asleep peacefully, worry released at the sight of the beautiful woman finally at ease after the day's events. Ever so carefully and softly, Mac leans down to kiss her cheek before falling asleep himself.

MS

Stella wakes up to the sound of running water, not sure where she is. Sitting up, she realizes she is on a bed, whose she wasn't sure.

The shower water turns off, and a minute later, Mac walks in, towel wrapped around his waist. "Oh, you're awake."

"Did you think I wouldn't wake up?"

"No, I just thought you'd sleep in since you don't have to work."

"I could've sworn I fell asleep on the couch last night. How'd I get in here?"

"I moved you half an hour ago. I figured you'd be more comfortable here."

She turns her head so he can put his boxers on. "Thanks. How sore are you?"

"It's not bad. I can't sleep like that tonight though," he continues to dress. "While I'm at work, you're welcome to anything here. I'd like you to stay here for a few days so we don't have another incident."

"Is there anything you want me to do?"

"Just relax. Do what you need to," Mac gives her a quick hug. "Call me if you need anything. I'll get something to eat for us on the way home."

Stella lays back down, deciding to go back to sleep.

MS

"How is she?" Lindsay asks worriedly as Mac walks into the office.

"She'll be fine in a few days. Don't worry, Lindsay."

"When will she back at work?"

"Two weeks, at least. She threatened a man with her gun when we stopped for ice cream on the way home. I convinced the chief not to have the man press charges if she had two weeks off and went to a psychologist after explaining what she went through."

"Court date is next Wednesday for Zach," Hawkes interrupts. "DA needs to talk to Stella before then."

"Thanks. Tell him I'll bring her Monday."

"Mac, I'd like to talk to her. Can I stop by later?"

"Sure, Linds. I think it'll do her some good to talk to another woman."

A/N: Sorry, I totally meant to post yesterday but I was too lazy to get up from watching Pirates of the Caribbean. I watched both of them. Not very exciting towards the end. And I laughed at my mom while we watched Providence, which we had to stop Pirates for, because there in the end of season four for those of you who watch the show, and Syd is dating Owen. The person who plays Owen was the rapist on an episode of CSI a few seasons ago. So every time they kiss, my mom says, "No, don't date him. He's a bad person." It's kind of funny. What else have I done over break... finished my study hall story thing, I've gotten two chapters of Superman typed, and I started another story. My dumb dog got all freaked out last night because it thundered randomly once at like eleven-thirty. She kept scratching on my door because she wanted in, then when she came in, she'd want out. That kept my grandma's dog who's sleeping in my room up all night along with me. My mom ended up sleeping on my floor. Why it was thundering when we have about a foot of snow, I have no idea. Since we didn't get a white Christmas, we're getting a white Easter here. I have to rewrite my report thing for Western Civ becasue I interviewed two people, my great aunt, who didn't give me much info so I didn't use her, and my grandma, who I did use for the report. My great aunt doesn't know I didn't use her so when I see her tomorrow, she's going to ask about it. Now, even though I don't have her answers, I still have to write a stupid paper about her for my mom so she's not mad. We can't come up with an excuse not to. Anyway, I'll update like Mondayish. Thanks for reading.